Victoria stood in the middle of the luxury suite with her arms crossed tightly over her chest.
Her sharp eyes glared at the young woman standing near the doorway in a plain maid uniform.
Elena kept her hands folded neatly in front of her gray apron as she remained silent.
She took a deep breath to steady her nerves while looking directly at the angry woman.
Victoria waved an expensive diamond necklace right in front of Elena's calm face.
Victoria: You thought you could hide this inside your cleaning cart, didn't you?
Elena: I never touched your necklace, ma'am.
Victoria: Don't lie to my face, you worthless little thief!
Elena felt a sudden sharp headache as the harsh words bounced off the marble walls.
She held back her tears because she knew that showing weakness would only make things worse.
The hotel suite was silent except for the heavy breathing of the furious guest.
Victoria marched over to the telephone sitting on the polished wooden nightstand.
Victoria: I am calling security right now to have you thrown out in cuffs!
Elena: Please, just check the hallway cameras before you call anyone.
Victoria: The cameras won't save a common servant like you!
Elena shifted her weight slightly because her back was beginning to ache from standing.
She rested one palm softly against her stomach to comfort her baby.
No one in the grand building knew that she was three months pregnant yet.
She wanted to keep her personal life private from the staff for a good reason.
Victoria slammed her hand down on the nightstand with a loud thud.
Victoria: You need to pack your things and leave this hotel right now!
Elena: Please, just listen to me for one second!
Victoria: I do not listen to people like you!
Elena took a step back toward the open doorway to keep a safe distance.
She saw the manager walking quickly down the hallway with a worried expression.
The manager looked terrified as he approached the open suite door.
Manager: Is there a problem here, Mrs. Sterling?
Victoria: This girl stole my precious jewelry out of my open suitcase!
Manager: Elena is one of our most trusted staff members, ma'am.
Victoria: Fire her immediately or I will destroy your entire career!
The manager looked down at his shoes because he was afraid of losing his job.
Elena felt a wave of sadness wash over her as she realized he would not help.
She had worked long hours to make sure every room was perfectly clean for guests.
Now a single cruel accusation was about to ruin her quiet morning.
Victoria smiled with satisfaction when she saw the manager step aside.
Victoria: See? Nobody cares about what you have to say!
Elena: The truth always comes out eventually, Victoria.
Victoria: How dare you address me by my first name!
Victoria stepped forward as if she wanted to grab Elena by her collar.
Elena held her ground and raised her head with unexpected dignity.
She refused to be intimidated by someone who measured human worth only by money.
The tension inside the quiet room was thicker than ever before.
A sudden footstep sounded from around the corner of the hallway.
A tall man in a dark tailored suit appeared at the entrance.